manner

noun

ˈma-nər How to pronounce manner (audio)
Definition of mannernext
1
as in etiquette
manners plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting the young man's impeccable manners are an unmistakable sign of a good upbringing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the former doctor writes his novels very much in the manner of someone who is used to observing the smallest details

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3
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fish and all manner of sea life on view at the aquarium

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4
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something you happened to reach the correct answer, but the manner by which you solved the problem was all wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun manner contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manner are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

When can bearing be used instead of manner?

The meanings of bearing and manner largely overlap; however, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When could carriage be used to replace manner?

The words carriage and manner are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

In what contexts can demeanor take the place of manner?

The synonyms demeanor and manner are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is deportment a more appropriate choice than manner?

The words deportment and manner can be used in similar contexts, but deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to manner?

In some situations, the words mien and manner are roughly equivalent. However, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manner She was found dead under her bed just before noon the next day, and the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later determined her cause of death to be mechanical asphyxiation and her manner of death to be homicide. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Trigg Kiser's cause of death was ruled a brain injury due to drowning with the manner of death ruled an accident, according to the report completed May 21, 2025, by the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026 That timekeeping service, the lawsuit claims, was configured in a manner that rounds off the actual time employees clock in and clock out. — Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 26 Aug. 2026 Brentford registered 26 shots and routinely opened Spurs up in all manner of ways, exposing just how bad Roberto De Zerbi’s side were in and out of possession. — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
  1. etiquette
  2. mode
  3. kind
  4. method
  5. demeanor
  6. style
  7. sort
  8. approach
Noun
  • Hikers have been up in arms over Wales’ 1,085m summit for years, with mixed views over the etiquette of accessing Snowdonia’s best views.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The close quarters on planes and variable public views on appropriate flight etiquette are a recipe for tension.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • The screen can tilt 20 degrees up or down, swivel right and left 15 degrees, and even rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode.
    — Joe Salas August 28, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
  • When using a Pixel 11 Pro XL in standard mode, every frame of the 4K60 HDR recording showed a different time reading.
    — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mode
Noun
  • John Ratcliffe’s surprise talks with Russian officials were the first of their kind since his predecessor visited in late 2021, also to deliver a warning — to not attack Ukraine.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The United States and India finalized a consequential trade deal in February, the first of its kind between the two countries, which promises to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
    — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Adults is almost always at its best when there’s a method to the madness, a kernel of earnestness at the heart of it all.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The alternative method was to relay the three-minute call through the helicopter facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, but that didn’t work either.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of method
Noun
  • In more aggressive settings, shifts can get a bit abrupt, but the gearbox’s general demeanor is that of quick-shifting capability that plays nicely with the hybrid power train.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And while that player hasn’t been able to contribute to the big-league roster the way the team might have hoped, that outspoken aspect of his demeanor was on full display recently.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of demeanor
Noun
  • Now that summer will soon become fall, a pair of cropped pants feels like the perfect transitional style.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from Airstreams, there are two different styles of cabins (not including the additional accessible options), glamping-style tents, and an option to book a tent and Airstream in one campsite.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of style
Noun
  • Sorry to sit on the fence but both of them… There was little to like about a stale, out-of-sorts Manchester United facing a side with not a single fearsome attacker.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Ultimately, Bessent’s approach is likely to fail, said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer of One Point BFG Wealth Partners and editor of The Boock Report newsletter.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, regarding Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, his tone has skewed dovish in recent months, favoring a wait-and-see approach to the impact of the Middle East conflict.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of approach

Browse Nearby Words

mannequins
manner
mannered
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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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